In the summer, before the second world war, Armand de Villiers, French ambassador, has been recalled from Washington, and with his American wife, Laine, meets Nick and Hilary Burnham on the 'Normandie' The spark between Nick and Laine is instantaneous, but not admitted until a second crossing, when each is fleeing France alone Their brief affair ends as Nick returns to his wife and son, and Laine is tied to her husband left in France Only a final twist of fate can resolve the heartbreak, and the conflict between bravery and bitter betrayal that each has to suffer